In a move to create efficiencies and help the small- to medium-sized business community, Crestmark has realigned its Underwriting Department and promoted and hired several employees.

  • Steve Gross was promoted to SVP and national underwriting manager. Gross, a 27-year veteran of the commercial finance industry has been with Crestmark since 2011.

  • Chad Kerr was promoted to first vice president, underwriting team leader for the East Division. Kerr has been with Crestmark since 2005 and previously owned a field exam firm that provided services for GMAC Business Credit, Bank of America, US Bancorp, Crestmark Bank and others.

  • Julie Halbert, first vice president, was promoted to underwriting team leader for the West Division. Halbert joined Crestmark in 2009 with more than 15 years of experience in various roles including field examiner, account executive and portfolio manager.

  • Lynne Farrar, VP, recently transitioned from operations manager for the Transportation Division to underwriting manager for the Transportation Division. Farrar has been with Crestmark since 2004 and held various positions for the Transportation Division including underwriter, portfolio manager, and operations manager

  • Joshua Beauvais, VP, is transitioning to underwriter from account executive for the East Division. Beauvais has been with Crestmark since 2007 and has contributed to several departments including Operations and Field Exam.

  • Jerry Friedrichs III, VP, joined Crestmark as an underwriter for the West Division. Friedrichs joins the Baton Rouge office from The Receivables Exchange where he held the position of senior director, Registrations for more than four years.

  • John Trendell II, VP, has joined Crestmark as an underwriter for the East Division. He has more than 10 years of ABL and factoring experience with companies including Great Lakes Business Credit, La Salle Business Credit and Greenfield Commercial Credit.

  • Ayodele Nero, assistant vice president, is transitioning to the role of underwriter for the East Division. Nero joined Crestmark in 2012 as an account executive and will continue to support her clients as she transitions.

    “We believe this move will let us really move the ball forward for the businesses that we serve. This will allow more collaboration among the team and will help further promote the additional services that Crestmark offers such as equipment financing,” said Gross. “We’re excited about the team and feel we have the right people in the right roles.”